Shannon, S. E. - Col.

Posted December 12th, 2010 by ancestralheroes

COL. S. E. SHANNON.

Col. S. E. Shannon, born March 12, 1838, died September 7, 1921, at his home in Williamson County, Tenn.

In his early manhood he was a beloved and successful teacher. When the tocsin of war sounded, calling for the best and bravest, S. E. Shannon answered the call and enlisted in Company B, 24th Tennessee Infantry. When T. H. Peebles, captain of the company, was elected colonel of the regiment, S. E.. Shannon was made captain. At the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862, he handled his company with such dauntless courage and distinguished skill as to receive the praise of his superior officers and the love and devotion of his men. At the reorganization at Corinth, he was made major of the regiment, and was with it at the battle of Perryville, Ky. At the battle of Stones River, January 3, 1863, Colonel Bretton was killed and Shannon was made lieutenant colonel.

He was in the battle of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and all the engagements from Dalton to Atlanta. On July 22, on the right of Atlanta, Colonel Wilson was severely wounded and Colonel Shannon took command of the regiment. At Jonesboro, in making a charge, the color bearer was shot down. Colonel Shannon seized the flag and led the regiment through the fight. When Hood came into Tennessee, Colonel Shannon led his regiment in that fearful charge at Franklin and was shot down within ten feet of the enemy's works. He was supposed to be mortally wounded, but survived to the good old age of eighty-three. As a cool, gallant, and fearless soldier, he may have had equals, but no superior.

After the war he married Miss Elizabeth H. Roberts, a daughter of one of the most prominent and respected farmers of Williamson County. He would never allow his name to be offered for any political office, but did accept the office of magistrate for his district, which he held for many years, and was always one of the honored leaders of the county court.

As a citizen, he was honored and respected, not only by his friends and neighbors, but by everybody who knew him. As a man, he was generous and charitable, never allowing white or black to suffer when their needs were called to his attention.

We deplore his loss, for his place can never be filled.

Confederate Veteran, Published Monthly in the Interest of Confederate Associations and Kindred Topics, Nashville, TN, Vol XXX, No 4, April 1922